Page 43 of Bewitched

“That’s certainly true. But I don’t want to call strangers when I have a family that wants to help.”

“There is no good answer here,” he replied as he ran his hand through his hair.

Glancing over, she saw what a struggle this was for him. He was a man who wanted to take care of his responsibilities, and he was trying desperately to find a solution that would work for both of them. But his job took him all over the world, and that made compromise impossible. Being a warrior and being a daddy were almost impossible to do at the same time. Especially in their circumstances. “I appreciate the invitation, but I’m going to have to turn it down. It’s best for us to stay here in Texas where I have a support network.”

“I don’t like the answer, but I understand.”

“I promise to send you updates about the baby, and if you’re not out of the country, maybe you can come for the birth. Whatever happens, know that we’ll be fine. My mama wouldn’t have it any other way.”

Nodding, he turned and studied the fence line. “Paige, I’m not giving up. I think there has to be a way for us to be together.”

“You’ll always be welcome in your son’s life. Whatever form that takes.” There wasn’t anything else to say. Swallowing, she tried to get the lump in her throat to move. All her words were rational and made sense. But her heart cracked with each one she uttered. In the last three weeks, Blake had made a place for himself in her heart. And as much as she told herself not to get attached…she had. It was inevitable. He was a big, handsome man who was smart and funny. Not to mention honorable and freaking amazing in bed. In another life, she would’ve fallen hopelessly in love with him. How could she not?

But in this life, in this circumstance, she hadn’t allowed herself the luxury. She’d purposely kept him at a distance because she never wanted him to make a choice between his career and her. That would be an impossible choice and she would never ask him to make it.

So every word she spoke was meant to give him the impression that she could handle this all on her own. She’d quickly figured out that if she ever said she needed him, he would drop everything and be by her side. But that would cost him something he loved, something that was as important as his next breath.

As far as she was concerned, any choice he made about his life would be made without her and the baby as a consideration. Ideally, she’d done everything to make that possible. They had only a couple more days together, and she had every intention of selling the idea as if her life depended on it. The truth was that she would be fine, and so would their baby. And she would repeat that phrase to herself a million times until she glued her heart back together. Because it was going to break the moment he left. Not that she would ever let him know.

“Are you ready to head back?” Blake asked.

Before she turned around, a big smile crossed her face. “Yes. I promised your mama I would help with supper.”

“The family loves you, Paige. They want to be part of our boy’s life.”

“Of course, I was talking to your mama and she said she was going to come over for a visit next month. We’re going to work on the nursery together. Don’t you worry. I have every intention of staying in touch.”

They turned the horses around and headed back home. Paige smiled and pretended that every little thing was perfect and she didn’t have a care in the world. She could certainly hold it together until Blake left. It was four measly days. It shouldn’t be a problem.

***

Blake sat in the chairs on the porch with his father and wondered if he was in for a lecture. It didn’t seem likely, but he’d never brought a woman home, so anything was possible. Not to mention, the woman he brought home was carrying his father’s grandson. “It’s been good to be home.”

“Son, we’re happy to see you in one piece. You’re never far from our thoughts, and it’s nice to see for ourselves that you’re doing okay. All that Skype business doesn’t make up for a face-to-face conversation.”

“Teams have kept me busy,” Blake replied.

“Plenty in the world to keep you and your teammates busy for the next fifty years. I don’t see an end to any of this.”

“I have to agree, Dad. Nothing is getting solved out there. We’re just holding the line. And that’s on a good day.”

Leaning back in his chair, Carl Carmichael studied his son. “You going to tell me what’s on your mind, or should I guess?”

Blake knew his father and figured that getting to the point would be easier on them both. “I was just wondering how you and mama are doing with the news about your new grandson.”

“We’re as happy as all get out. Paige is a pistol and a perfect addition to the family.”

“Doesn’t bother you and Mama that we’re not getting married?”

“Blake, all we care about is that you’re happy and healthy. We like the woman you brought home, and we’re happy to have as many grandchildren as you and your brothers will give us. I personally don’t think you should marry a woman you don’t love. That sort of thing is a disaster for everyone involved.”

“You sound like Paige. Every time I bring up the future, she dismisses it. As though the idea of us being together is ludicrous.”

“Is this a woman you see spending the rest of your life with? Or are you trying to force a relationship because she’s carrying your son?”

Rubbing the back of his neck, Blake looked across the front lawn. “When I first saw her, all I wanted to do was kiss her, and when I did, I never wanted to stop. Every moment with her has left me wanting more. There had to be something at work to put us together like this. What are the chances that I pull a hostage out of Jordan and then see her again? Zero.” Rubbing his chin, he shook his head. “Scratch that, I hunted her down and made sure I saw her again. But, the chances of having one night together that results in our lives being intertwined forever? Less than zero. She has captivated me from the moment I saw her, and I want to keep her. Truth be told, I never had a choice. Maybe us being together is because I wouldn’t let anything else happen. Seems like I’m the thing, putting us together.”

“Do you want to keep her because you can’t imagine a day without her, or do you want to keep her because she’s carrying your son? Think carefully before you answer because it’s easy to get the two confused. As far as I know, duty belongs in your job, not in your choosing a wife.”

“Dad, that’s an impossible question. For both of us. I’m never going to know if she has feelings for me or if she has feelings for the father of her child.”

“That’s a load of crap, son. Sorry to be so blunt, but that’s the truth. The woman can do this on her own as far as I can tell. She’s smart, educated, and has a big family to support her. The only reason to keep you around is that she loves you. Paige Bennett will never have to settle for a loveless marriage just because she wants a daddy for her baby. I imagine if she gave it half a chance, she could find six good candidates for the job. Don’t fool yourself, son. She’s spending time with you because she has feelings.”

“That is the worst speech you’ve ever given me,” Blake said as he crossed his arms. “Six candidates. That’s bullshit!”

“Seems showing you that she doesn’t have to settle is a damn good idea. If you want to win the woman’s heart, then do it. Don’t think you’re going to get away with some half-assed offer, either. If you’re not sure, then take your hands off another man’s future.” Standing, he finished his tea. “I better go wash up. Your mama doesn’t like it when we’re not at the table on time.”

Blake watched his father walk into the house and huffed out a long breath. There was nothing half-assed about his offer. He’d asked her to come and stay with him in San Diego. What the hell was wrong with that?

Leaning against the porch, he shook his head. He knew what was wrong with it, and he couldn’t really do anything until he knew what the next step in his career would be. Truth be told, if he ended up being cleared, then he was going to be OCONUS within weeks, which meant that Paige was right in refusing his offer. For the first time in his life, he was going to have to make a hard choice about his career. It was either be a SEAL or be a dad. In his particular situation, he didn’t see how he could be both.

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